Year 12 students in Lismore and the Northern Rivers have officially graduated from High School and now have two weeks of study before they sit their first HSC exam in early October.

For those looking for a career path, the NSW Government is delivering subsidised training programs for the visitor economy workforce, a sector that is expected to need up to 150,000 more workers over the next decade.  

TAFE NSW is partnering with Destination NSW to develop and deliver training programs jointly funded by the Federal Government’s NSW Choose Tourism Program.

The subsidised courses are designed to address industry workforce shortages by encouraging Australians to pursue careers in the visitor economy. This will help operators attract, retain, and upskill staff. 

A key recommendation of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 Review, to be released in the coming weeks, is to encourage school leavers and other jobseekers into the tourism workforce, with the aim of growing the sector in NSW to 450,000 workers. 

The Review finds that school leavers are spurning visitor economy careers, with workers leaking into mining, agriculture, and trades due to “perceived better career paths, industry confidence, and better pay.” 

Having reached a record $52.9 billion of annual visitor expenditure in the year to June, the NSW visitor economy is Australia’s biggest. 

The growth in the NSW visitor economy over the coming decade will have a new emphasis on visitor experiences that show off the best of our food and wine, coastal and aquatic environments, nature-based, cultural, heritage, arts, First Nations, adventure and wellness experiences. 

The new training programs include: 

• An ‘Introduction to the Visitor Economy’ microskill: a short self-directed online course designed to provide foundational knowledge and explore careers in the visitor economy industry. The microskill will be offered free to the public for the first six weeks of release, with fully subsidised access available for NSW high school students. 
• Five one-hour video masterclasses: fully subsidised pre-recorded masterclasses will be available on the TAFE NSW website, featuring industry experts such as Scenic World, Cupitt’s Estate, Merlin Entertainments, Sydney Opera House, and W Hotels. 
• Modernised Certificate III in Tourism: set for delivery in 2025, this updated qualification will include new visitor economy skills. Updates will also incorporate contemporary case studies and assessments based on industry feedback to ensure the qualification meets the current needs of the sector. 

The ‘Introduction to Visitor Economy’ micro skill is launching today and masterclasses will be available from late October 2024. To find out more, visit tafensw.edu.au/visitoreconomy. 

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham said, “Through the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 review, we discovered that we need more school leavers to pursue careers in the visitor economy.

“A career in the visitor economy offers not just an incredible professional pathway but also the opportunity for some of the best life experiences available anywhere in the world. 

“These new training programs will be invaluable to attracting more people to the visitor economy workforce and will alleviate pressure from the countless small businesses who are feeling the pinch as they look for skilled workers to fill jobs.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said, “TAFE NSW is working closely with industry to deliver relevant, modern training to build a pipeline of workers needed to support a thriving visitor economy. 

“High schools across NSW, as well as the public, will have access to fee-free places in the Introduction to Visitor Economy micro skill, opening doors for people to discover opportunities in this dynamic sector. 

“These exciting new training opportunities will be available online, so people across the state can access the skills and expertise needed to excel in the visitor economy, helping regional businesses attract and retain talent.”

Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said, “A strong, sustainable, skilled workforce is critically important to Australia’s tourism industry.

“It is a great industry to work in with a diverse range of exciting career opportunities.

“That is why the Albanese Government is supporting New South Wales, and all states and territories, to build their tourism workforce through our Choose Tourism grants program.

“My first job was in tourism, and I know firsthand what an amazing opportunity this industry provides, I commend NSW on these initiatives.”